Write short notes on the contribution made by the following to the socio-religious reforms:

(a) Jyotiba Phule

(b) Shree Narayana Guru

(c) Veeresalingam Kandukuri.

(a) Jyotiba Phule — He was a prominent social reformer and thinker of 19^th century. He led the movement against the prevailing Caste restrictions in India. He revolted against the domination of the Brahmins and struggled for the rights of peasants and other low-caste people. He devoted his life for the liberation of untouchables from all types of exploitation. He was also a pioneer for women education in India and fought for education of girls throughout his life. He was a believer in gender equality and exemplified it by involving his wife Savitribai Phule in all his social reform activities. Jyotiba Phule established many schools for girls and an indigenous school for the lower castes. Jyotiba Phule established an ashram for young widows. He formed the Satya Shodhak Samaj and wrote two books — Sarvajanik Satyadharma Pusthak and Ghulamgiri. He was honoured with the title of Mahatma for all his contributions for the upliftment of the society.

(b) Shree Narayana Guru — Shree Narayana Guru of Kerala has brought in social transformation through education and spirituality. He established SNDP (Shree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam) in 1903 which worked for total literacy. To oppose caste discrimination, Guru consecrated a number of temples which were open to all castes. He trained the lower caste men in rituals of worship to officiate as priests in these temples. His Philosophy of "One caste, one religion and one God for man" has brought in inter-caste and inter-religious harmony.

(c) Veeresalingam Kandukuri — Veeresalingam Kandukuri stood strongly for social causes, like widow remarriage and abolition of child marriage. He strongly opposed the existence of caste system in the society, criticised misconceptions, condemned religious misbelieves and opposed bribery amongst Government employees. He established a girls' school in Dhavaleswaram in 1874. He started a Telugu journal and began writing for women. He also started a Remarriage Association and a widow home. The British Government, in appreciation of his work, conferred on him the title of Rao Bhadur in 1893.